HB 1988

Abstract

Board of Pharmacy; pharmaceutical processors; processing and dispensing cannabis oil; report. Effects numerous changes to the processing and dispensing of cannabis oil by pharmaceutical processors in the Commonwealth. The bill allows written certifications for use of cannabis oil to include an electronic practitioner signature. The bill also eliminates the requirement that a pharmacist have oversight of the cultivation and processing areas of a pharmaceutical processor, instead requiring pharmaceutical processors to designate a person to oversee cultivation and production areas; removes the requirement that a cannabis dispensing facility undergo quarterly inspections, instead requiring that inspections occur no more than once annually; and allows pharmaceutical processors to remediate cannabis oil that fails any quality testing standard. The bill requires pharmaceutical processors to maintain evidence of criminal background checks for all employees and delivery agents of the pharmaceutical processor. The bill directs the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate regulations implementing the provisions of the bill and regulations creating reasonable restrictions on advertising and promotion by pharmaceutical processors by July 1, 2021, and directs the Board of Pharmacy to solicit input from stakeholders and appropriate agencies of the Commonwealth in order to develop recommendations for legislative action to permit the acceptance of cannabis products by hospices and hospice facilities in the Commonwealth and report its findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by October 1, 2021.

Board of Pharmacy; pharmaceutical processors;processing and dispensing cannabis oil. Effects numerous changesto the processing and dispensing of cannabis oil by pharmaceuticalprocessors in the Commonwealth. The bill defines the term "designatedcaregiver facility" and allows any staff member or employee of adesignated caregiver facility to assist with the possession, acquisition,delivery, transfer, transportation, and administration of cannabisoil for any patients residing in the designated caregiver facility.The bill allows written certifications for use of cannabis oil toinclude an electronic practitioner signature. The bill removes therequirement that a cannabis dispensing facility undergo quarterly inspections and instead requires that inspections occur no more thanonce annually and allows pharmaceutical processors to remediate cannabis oil that fails any quality testing standard. The bill requires pharmaceutical processors to maintain evidence of criminal backgroundchecks for all employees and delivery agents of the pharmaceuticalprocessor. The bill directs the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate regulationsimplementing the provisions of the bill and regulations creatingreasonable restrictions on advertising and promotion by pharmaceuticalprocessors by July 1, 2021.